Given its relationships with 69 Business Improvement Districts (BID) and over 40 local development corporations (LDC), NDD truly understands the importance of merchants associations and business entities for the revitalization of a neighborhood; these relationships proved invaluable post Hurricane Sandy.

In the wake of the storm, businesses in commercial corridors represented by BIDs or established LDCs were better connected to recovery resources and were able to reopen more quickly than businesses without those same supports. NDD leveraged its knowledge of the merchant organizing process and business needs to provide services to Beach 116th St. and the South Street Seaport, areas lacking established economic development entities prior to Hurricane Sandy. NDD dedicated significant staff time to soliciting merchant participation, facilitating goal-setting meetings, and guiding nascent groups through the legal incorporation process.

Through these efforts NDD enabled the creation of two new economic development organizations, The Beach 116th St. Partnership and the Old Seaport Alliance. Both merchant-led entities have developed strong membership bases, fundraised, and hosted promotional events that have brought more customers to their districts. Now, businesses in these commercial corridors will have easier access to resources that aid their recovery and further development.